Haiku #2

sometimes it's too much

to try and keep from drowning

step out of the boat

Long, lazy Saturday.

And BOY do I NEED it. I slept in until 8 this morning. I am usually up around 6am so that I can have about 45 minutes of quiet to read my bible. In June I decided to read the bible, cover to cover. I'm in Acts right now. I did get some reading time in this morning, which was nice. Then my husband got up and we sat around in our jammies sipping coffee.

My oldest son is sick...I am pretty sure he's got strep throat due to the tell-tale white spots on the back of his tongue. So rather than lounge around all day in my pj's I ended up showering and getting dressed to go to the store for some Jell-O, sherbet and Gatorade. I have the poor guy quarantined in his room since strep is so contagious. But he's got a pretty nice set up....cozy bed, lots of pillows, a bedside tray with juice, tissue and the remote. I also rented some movies for him to watch using his PS2! He's got it made...aside from that terrible croupe cough and sore throat, of course.

I'm doing the home remedy thing...as opposed to taking him to the doctor. I try to stay away from antibiotics as much as possible. I've never been one to rush my kids to the dr. at every sniffle or fever. And I read online that strep will go away in 3-7 days regardless if you take an antibiotic or not. So...we're opting for home care. I made some chicken soup..and that cures everything, right? He's staying hydrated thanks to Gatorade and otter pops! His fever spiked this afternoon so I'm just keeping a good eye on him. I did give him Tylenol to help with that and discomfort, though. I'm not against medication altogether. Just not a lot of it.

Earlier I was looking online for some home remedies using things I'd normally have in my cupboard. Because honestly, I don't keep bark and roots handy. I did find one web site...Granny Med I think?...that had a ton of home remedies. I just wasn't sure which ones would REALLY work. So...I didn't use any of them. Although the sliced onion soaked in honey did sound interesting. I'd be interested to know what is it in the onion that makes for a good sore throat remedy. Anyone have that answer? Let me know if you do!

I better check the chicken soup...I think it's due for a stir!

Frugality as Haiku?

I feel like I have to explain this random Haiku post.

For some reason I get the Haiku bug now and then and just feel like I need to write one. I've always fantasized about being a writer...for whatever reason I feel I have a story to tell. I think we all do, really.

And I would love to be able to write poetry. But it's just not one of my gifts. I suppose my mind isn't abstract enough? Maybe I'm too literal? Too predictable?

Whatever it is...whatever the reason for my inability to write poetry...whatever the reason may be, in my mind it doesn't apply to Haiku. Therefore, I think I can actually DO it! So I go with it...I live it...I become one with the Haiku. Only once in a while.

I noticed, however, that I numbered it "Haiku #1".

This leads me to believe that maybe there are more in my future...I'm just sayin'.

Haiku #1

whispers in my heart

calling me away from self

I am not my own

When life gives you lemons.

OR, as in my case, when your aunt, who's really more like your sister, gives you a really cute wire basket from Crate and Barrel FULL of gorgeous Meyer lemons from the tree in her backyard for Christmas...make frozen lemon juice cubes to use later for cooking!

She gave me so many lemons I couldn't possibly use them all. And I knew I wanted to juice them to use later to melt in sauces, etc. So I went on a search for ice cube trays. And would you believe I could not FIND any? Someone said they might be a summer thing? Whatever the reason, I couldn't find any. But the other day I stopped by the local thrift shop and found two ice cube trays for a quarter each! They were purple...which threw me off for a minute...but then I got over it and realized they weren't going to be on display or anything so what did it matter?

Last night I squeezed all of the lemons into a measuring cup, poured the juice into the ice cube trays and froze them overnight. I'll put them in zipper storage baggies for later use! This makes me so happy...for so many reasons. I love the fact that the lemons were free. I love the fact that they didn't go to waste. I love the fact that I was able to find the tools I needed to do what I wanted to do at the thrift store...for VERY inexpensive.

The only downside to this? Now I need something else to display in the cute wire basket!

I love it when dinner extends to lunch.

Last night I made a chicken dish that made enough for my husband and I to have it for lunch, too! I have to admit that I am not one to plan meals. I mean, I think about it...and I peruse the sale ads...and I base my meals on what's on sale. But I don't plan each and every meal down to the condiment for a week...or even scarier...a MONTH?! And I certainly don't do all of that...plus buy what's on sale PLUS use double coupons and rebates. I would love it if I WERE this organized. I would. I am so amazed at the people that can do this. Amazed. But...I'm not that amazing. Not even close. I do what I can, though...

I knew I wanted to make pasta. Number one, it's good. Number two, it's easy. Number three, it's quick! I also knew I had some half and half in the fridge as well as grated Parmesan and frozen peas. Sounds good to me. But I knew my husband and sons would like some meat in that combo. I decided to defrost two boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cube them then saute them in olive oil and fresh garlic. I used the tasty brown bits on the bottom of the pan and some pasta water to make a light sauce. I then added the half and half, the pasta and the cheese and combined and warmed through. While the pasta warmed I made garlic bread, heated the peas and made a simple green salad as sides. It was quite tasty! And I had enough for leftovers for lunch today.

So I figure it cost me roughly $6 for four meals. FOUR! This does not inlcude the cost of milk, which we've been going through like CRAZY lately. Either way...I would say that's pretty frugal!

I did it. I'm free!

I bought a reusable grocery tote from the grocery store tonight. I just DID it. I got to the self-checkout and there it was, right in front of me. So I grabbed it, scanned it and filled it up with my items. It was 25 cents. I figure I can spare the landfill at least 20 plastic bags or so by using it.

And I have to admit...I felt quite happy and, yes, a tiny bit smug, as I walked to my car with my eco-friendly bag.